Police say the officer was canvassing on Lombardee Circle for witnesses to a burglary on Saturday when a dog "confronted" him. That's when police say the officer, who has been on the force for a year, shot the dog twice, killing him.

Vern was a 4 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Chief Davis says he met with the family at the home to tell them that the department will conduct an internal investigation. He says police want to make sure they know all the facts and can improve discussions of best practices for officers encountering animals.